Expandable Spinal Fusion Implants for Disc Height Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion surgeries face challenges in effectively promoting fusion across intervertebral disc spaces due to limitations in implant design and stability, particularly in maintaining proper positioning and facilitating bone growth within the disc space.
Innovation Solution
An expandable system of spinal fusion implants is introduced, comprising two intervertebral implants made of biocompatible materials with radiolucent and radiopaque features, designed to be inserted in a collapsed state and expanded within the disc space, utilizing mating elements and a flexible tether to maintain positioning and facilitate bone growth promotion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal fusion implants are used, then the surgery can be performed, but the fusion effectiveness is insufficient due to poor positioning and lack of stability
Solution Approach 1:
The implant transitions from a collapsed insertion state to an expanded operational state, dynamically adapting to the disc space. This expansion provides stable anchoring points on the vertebral endplates while maintaining the ability to promote bone growth through the expanded configuration that creates a controlled void for bone graft.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into multiple segments or expansion elements that can be inserted in a collapsed state and then expanded to create the functional void. This segmentation allows the implant to be delivered through a smaller access pathway while achieving the necessary stability and bone growth promotion space when expanded.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the implant is inserted in an expanded state, then positioning stability is achieved, but the insertion complexity and surgical difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is pre-loaded in a collapsed state for insertion, and the expansion occurs after insertion is complete. This preliminary action of collapsing the implant before insertion simplifies the surgical procedure by allowing delivery through smaller pathways and reducing real-time surgical complexity, while still achieving stable positioning once expanded.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the implant structure is made rigid for stability, then positioning is maintained, but bone growth promotion is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the implant have different properties: the outer anchoring elements are rigid to provide stable positioning on the vertebral endplates, while the inner region creates a controlled void with appropriate porosity or surface characteristics to promote bone growth. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of stability and bone growth promotion.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant utilizes porous or perforated structures in appropriate regions to facilitate bone ingrowth and growth promotion while maintaining overall structural integrity and positioning stability. The porous architecture provides mechanical interlocking with bone while allowing vascular infiltration and bone graft integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods for promoting fusion across an intervertebral disc space, the system including an expandable system of spinal fusion implants wherein the system of implants is inserted into an intervertebral disc space in a smaller profile, collapsed insertion state, and then expanded anteriorly to an expanded state.